Herman Boswell

1930 - 2010

Herman Boswell departed Saturday, May 22, 2010, at 6:05 p.m. He left behind a legacy of integrity and compassion. Funeral: 2 p.m. Thursday at First Baptist Church, 300 S. Center St., Arlington. Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Moore Funeral Home, 1219 N. Davis Drive, Arlington. His accomplishments were numerous, such as building a thriving real estate company from the ground up and mentoring many real estate agents who then went on to establish companies of their own. But most importantly, Herman loved to help people become successful in their work. He guided and encouraged many during the years and his advice was invaluable to those he touched. He improved the lives of those around him. He loved people for who they were and set an example of honesty and integrity in all his dealings. Herman was born in Whitney on Nov. 24, 1930. He decided one day at the ripe age of 11, while hoeing cotton for a dollar a day, that he would someday leave that small town and create a different life for himself. He served in the armed forces and was stationed in Garmish Pattenkirchen in Germany, rising to the rank of master sergeant. There he met the love of his life, Polly, and they were married while in the service. Before his tour of duty was up, they had their only child, Jerry. Herman came to Arlington in 1955 to work in the then-new GM factory. He soon learned he was not cut out to be a linesman. He pursued and created a successful business in insurance, then later decided to invest in real estate. He started his first real estate business, Herman Boswell Real Estate, in 1965. He soon became a major force in the real estate industry. Herman was known for handshake deals that were honored no matter what. His word was his bond, and once given always honored. His business grew to five offices in Arlington. He received many honors from Century 21, Red Carpet and Gallery of Homes. These were franchises he assumed until he felt they were not accommodating his agents. He bought and invested in over 1,000 transactions in the greater Arlington area, showing an insight into trends few could see. In the great 1980s collapse of the savings and loans, Herman experienced severe hardship, while many others filed bankruptcy, Herman honored every debt on every project he had. He worked literally seven days a week to make sure his company survived and that all the projects he had were successful in the most dreadful economic times Texas had experienced since the Great Depression. Herman made sure his salespeople stayed productive and successful. He never cut back on advertising. He never wavered. One bank president later came to him and told him his loan was the largest loan on their books and if it had failed, the bank would have failed. And while many other banks did fail, this bank survives to this day. He emerged from this experience more successful than ever. He changed his strategy and consolidated his offices into one central location boasting one of the most productive and happy sales forces in the Metroplex. His longtime friend R.L. Porter once said of him, "Herman could have been one of the wealthiest men in the Metroplex if he were willing to do less for others than he did." Survivors: His son and daughter-in-law, Jerry and Caroline; grandsons, Ryan and wife, Tiffany, and Jonathan and wife, Diana; and beloved great-grandson, Tyler James.